I started building my hospital bag checklist around month two. I researched birthing methods, meditations, and medicines, trying to prepare for every possibility. In the end, I didn’t use half the things I packed, and a few items I was sure would be game-changers turned out to be totally impractical. So in the checklist I’ve created for you here, I’ve narrowed it down to what you actually need—plus a few thoughtful extras that, in my opinion, are genuinely worth the space.